AI Returns Fall Short as Companies Grapple With Skills Gaps, Digital Transformation

Companies are seeing weaker-than-expected returns from AI adoption, often because employee skills, workflows and organizational structures have failed to evolve alongside the technology rather than because of shortcomings in the models themselves. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) says algorithms account for only about 10% of AI's value, with the remainder dependent on workforce training and organizational change, making workforce readiness critical to success.

Recent research found that only 14% of graduates can effectively integrate AI into real-world workflows, underscoring the gap between education and corporate needs. Companies that spend solely on technology without allocating resources to training, job redesign and change management are unlikely to generate significant benefits. Available data did not disclose the research publication date or the amount companies invested in AI.